When it comes to Italian food, Raj Nouzari, co-owner and chef at the new Americano Grill Italian Bistro located in Town Center, knows best.

Subscription Required

Thank you for reading the MtDemocrat.com digital edition. In order to continue reading this story please choose one of the following options.

Current Subscribers
If you are a current subscriber and wish to obtain access to MtDemocrat.com, please select the
Subscriber Verification option below. If you already have a login, please select "Login" at the
lower right corner of this box.

Special Introductory Offer
For a short time we will be offering a discount to those who call us in order to obtain access to
MtDemocrat.com and start your print subscription. Our customer support team will be standing by
Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm to assist you.

Call and Save! (530) 344-5000

If you are not a current subscriber and wish not to take advantage of our special introductory
offer, please select the $12 monthly option below to obtain access to MtDemocrat.com and start
your online subscription

“Raj is an amazing cook. He makes incredible spaghetti and his Italian enchiladas and palermo are to die for,” said Denice Dorsett, Raj’s partner and friend.

Americano Grill Italian Bistro opened its doors on May 1 but Nouzari and Dorsett’s collaboration began long before that. Dorsett met Nouzari in 2007 when she was filling in for a friend who was a server at the Valencia Club, located in Penryn.

Nouzari owned the Valencia Club at that time and noticed Dorsett’s excellent people skills, and before long the match was made. The two signed on as partners and have been together ever since.

“We make a great team,” said Dorsett. “He likes to stay in the kitchen and I’m more of a people person, so it all works out.”

After leaving the Valencia Club in 2009, Nouzari and Dorsett opened Mooney’s Restaurant & Bar on East Bidwell, right across from the DMV in Folsom. Mooney’s did really well and was known for having the best burger in Folsom and beyond, but after the Palladio shopping center opened, business began to dwindle. The partners knew it was time to sell.

And that’s when the idea for Americano Grill Italian Bistro was born.

“Raj had seen this location in Town Center and really liked it,” said Dorsett. “Town Center needed an Italian restaurant, and that just happened to be one of Raj’s areas of expertise. It couldn’t have worked out better.”

Great food, great people

Customers at Americano Grill Italian Bistro are delighted by large portions, only the freshest of ingredients and friendly faces.

Nouzari goes to pick out his ingredients himself at a market in Sacramento every day and the restaurant grows its own herbs and tomatoes in season.

The restaurant also offers a bottomless mimosa brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day, where customers can get more than just Italian food. They can also order chicken fried steak, crab Benedict, fresh crab cakes, omelets, bacon and more.

“I am always amazed at Raj’s eggs,” said Dorsett. “Never do you see any brown on his eggs. His eggs are perfect. It’s unreal that he can make them that perfect every time.”

In addition to the excellent food, great customer service is a given at Americano Grill Italian Bistro. Dorsett has had people follow her all the way from the Valencia Club, and she and Raj even make Christmas dinner for a couple from New Castle every year.

“I genuinely love people and will go out of my way for my customers and won’t even tell them I’m doing it,” said Dorsett. “When I do something, I do it without any ulterior motive. That’s just the way I am.”

For more information about Americano Grill Italian Bistro or to find out restaurant hours call 916-934-0887.